presents their

Wind Ensemble & Wind Symphony

Conductors Wind Ensemble Dr. Frank Tracz Mr. Eric Thompson Mr. Brett Butler Wind Ensemble Dr. Alex Wimmer

March 9, 2021 - 7:30 PM McCain Auditorium Wind Sympony Conductor: Dr. Alex Wimmer

Finding the Sun (2019) ...... Grace Baugher (b. 1995)

Nimrod (1899/1965)...... Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Arr. Alfred Reed (1921-2005)

Arabesque (2009) ...... Samuel Hazo (b. 1966)

Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Frank Tracz

Dancing Fire (2016) ...... Kevin Day (b. 1996) Eric Thompson, Guest Conductor

Beside Still Waters (2011) ...... David Gillingham (b.1947) Brett Butler, Guest Conductor 2021 Wind Symphony Roster

FLUTE Trumpet Jordyn Allen Ann Barker Kate Brull Aaron Peterson Sam Crawford Michele Treloggen Brenda Heard Kate Washburn • Kristen Schrag • Gabby Yager French Horn Gus Bibler • OBOE Alex Cannady Alli Gladfelder Cara Dister Lily Linville Isabel Grafel

BASSOON Trombone Rachel Woodbury Alianna Carlton Blake Davis CLARINET Chris Hovis • Corrine Bergstrom Peri Carney EUPHONIUM Krissy Davis • Shelly Alexander Sarah Kelley Michael Walker • Haley Rader Tuba BASS CLARINET Robert Brown Grace Dice Joey Lederhos

ALTO SAXOPHONE PERCUSSION Katherine Anderson Gaby Fluke Julia McCabe • Ethan Jeffries Nathan Smith • TENOR SAXOPHONE Jacob Morgan Jasmine Bates Isaiah Petrie Christopher Wells BARITONE SAXOPHONE Abby Vetter PIANO Kevin Jackson • Principal Section Player 2021 Wind Ensemble Roster

FLUTE TRUMPET Jenna Dominguez Mitchell Betancourt Nicole Hoppas Gillian Falcon Jessica Minnich • Kyle Grimes Amaya Molinar Caleb Niehoff Bailey Tadda Haley Schwartz • Rylie Toom Jessica Vanstory

OBOE FRENCH HORN Taylor Crawford Kylee Gardner Deandra Horner • Katie Kimmel Elliot Peters BASSOON Sophia Shaar • Josh Brandt TROMBONE CLARINET Jakob Keith • Mark Ahlman Tyler Long Taton Bennett William Osorio Audrey Farrell Daniel Smith Matthew Johnson • Crystal Rathburn EUPHONIUM Jakob Ferreria BASS CLARINET Justin Koegeboehn • Megan Paulsen TUBA Clark Elford • ALTO SAXOPHONE Hannah Mancini PERCUSSION Jacob Peterson Braedon Bomgardner Nosara Vargas • Brett Butler • Taylor Clark TENOR SAXOPHONE Thomas Denk Sarah Wolfe John Eldridge Brandon Wells BARITONE SAXOPHONE James Probst PIANO Thomas Denk

• Principal Section Player WindProgram Symphony Notes Finding the Sun Grace Baugher (b. 1995) Finding the Sun is made up of 3 pieces written as an exploration of the band grading systems. This experiment highlighted irregularities within the systems and proved that they are not reliable as a consistent resource for composers. In this experiment, I wrote the same piece at 3 grade levels adhering to the set systems available, drawing on my own experiences as a composer and performer, and researching other composers who had altered pieces to various skill levels. The three versions of Finding the Sun were the result. On a more personal note, the piece itself was a documentation of my experience writing the pieces for my thesis project. This programmatic music cycles through the peaks and valleys of the process and depicts moments of self-doubt and celebration. When I began the process of writing, the piece was called “Up into the Night.” This darker imagery eventually didn’t match the direction of the piece. A line from “May it Be” by Enya from The Lord of the Rings sums up my experience and vision for the piece perfectly: “When the night is overcome, you may rise to find the sun.” Finding the Sun reminds me that life is a process and that even when the bad days seem too much, the sun with always rise the next day. Grace Baugher is a Kansas-born composer whose music employs memorable melodic material and whimsical styles. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a Masters in Music Composition and Graduate Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy. Previously she studied at Kansas State University where she had pieces performed by many ensembles, faculty, and guest artists. Considered one of the rising young voices in wind band, her music has been performed across the United States at a variety of conferences and schools, and now around the globe. Most recently, her piece “Remembering the Remarkable” was selected as a top 100 piece for wind band in 2020 by Bandworld. She is currently finishing a Graduate Certificate in Music Education to become certified to teach and work with bands beyond her compositions. Program notes by Grace Baugher

Nimrod Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) - Arr. Alfred Reed (1921-2005) The Enigma Variations were written for orchestra in 1899 and bore the dedication “To My Friends Pictured Within.” The theme and fourteen variations catapulted Elgar to international acclaim. The story is told of how Elgar, returning home after a long day of giving violin lessons, sat down to unwind at the piano and tinkered by improvising. His wife commented on one of the melodies that emerged, and out of that exchange was born the concept of fashioning the original melody ... as it might be played by some of their friends in their own style. In all, fourteen people and a dog are featured in the Variations. Elgar was the dominant English composer of his time, and was knighted in 1904, awarded the Order of Merit in 1911, and made Master of the King’s Musick in 1924. Elgar wrote the Enigma Variations in 1899 and dedicated them “to my friends pictured within.” The theme and 14 variations belong to the period in which Elgar developed the style that placed him in the front rank of English composers. The beautifully lyrical Nimrod (Variation IX) is dedicated to the publisher A.J. Jaeger. (Nimrod is the great hunter of the bible; Jaeger is the German word for hunter.) Alfred Reed was born on Manhattan Island in New York City on January 25, 1921. His formal music training began at the age of 10, when he studied the trumpet. As a teenager, he played with small hotel combos in the Catskill Mountains. His interests shifted from performing to arranging and composition. In 1938, he started working in the Radio Workshop in New York as a staff composer/arranger and assistant conductor. With the onset of World War II, he enlisted and was assigned to the 529th Army Air Corps Band. During his three and a half years of service, he produced nearly 100 compositions and arrangements for band. His most notable composition was Russian Christmas Music, premiered in Denver on December 12th, 1944, which many say launched his career as a composer. After his discharge, Reed enrolled at the Juilliard School of Music and studied composition with Vittorio Giannini. In 1953, he enrolled at Baylor University, serving as conductor of the Symphony Orchestra while he earned the Bachelor of Music degree (1955) and his Master of Music degree (1956). His interest in the development of educational music led him to serve as executive editor of Hansen Publishing from 1955 to 1966. He left that position to become a professor of music at the University of Miami, where he served until his retirement in 1993. After retirement, he continued to compose and made numerous appearances as guest conductor in many nations, most notably in Japan with the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. At the age of 84, on September 17, 2005, Alfred Reed passed away. Program notes from Nikk Pilato and Alex Wimmer

Arabesque Samuel Hazo (b. 1966) Arabesque was commissioned by the Indiana Bandmasters Association and written for the 2008 Indiana All-State Band. Arabesque (2009) is based in the mystical sounds of Middle Eastern music and it is composed in three parts. “Taqasim” (tah’-zeem), “dabka” (dupp-keh) and “chorale.” “Both sets of my grandparents immigrated to the United States; my mother’s parents were Lebanese, my father’s mother was Lebanese and his father was Assyrian. Sometimes in composition, the song comes from the heart, sometimes from the mind, and sometimes (as in this case) it’s in your blood. The Indiana Bandmasters Association asked for a piece that was unique. I had not heard any full-out Arabic pieces for wind orchestra, and I knew of this culture’s deep and rich musical properties… so I figured that one might as well come from me. (Plus, my mom asked if I was ever going to write one.)”~ Sam Hazo Samuel R. Hazo resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his wife and children. Mr. Hazo remains the only winner of both composition contests sponsored by the National Band Association. He has composed for the professional, university and public-school levels in addition to writing original scores for television, radio and the stage. Mr. Hazo was asked by the Newtown School District to compose the memorial for the children and women who were lost in the tragedy at their Sandy Hook Elementary School. The result was a major work for Choir, Orchestra and Wind Band combined titled “Glorificare.” Mr. Hazo also composed “Bridges,” which he was requested to write by Virginia Tech University following their tragic shootings. In 2012, two of Mr. Hazo’s compositions were performed at the London Summer Olympic Games. His compositions have been performed and recorded world-wide. Additionally, numerous titles of Mr. Hazo’s works are included in the series “Teaching Music Through Performance in Band.” He has served as composer-in-residence at Craig Kirchhoff ’s University of Minnesota Conducting Symposium and has also lectured on music and music education at universities and high schools internationally. Mr. Hazo was twice named “Teacher of Distinction” by the southwestern Pennsylvania Teachers’ Excellence Foundation. Program Notes by Samuel Hazo WindProgram Ensemble Notes Dancing Fire Kevin Day (b. 1996) When I was writing Dancing Fire, I wanted to write a piece for my high school band program and its directors for the great pieces we played, the fun times we had, and the excitement our bands created at our concerts. The picture I had in my head before I began writing was a group of people surrounding a large bonfire during the night. These people began dancing around the fire, having fun, singing songs, and ultimately, celebrating life. Once I had that picture in my head, along with the constant repeating motif that eventually became the melody for the entire piece, the rest of the work fit together nicely, and in two weeks it was done. The composition brings this mental picture I had to life in a fun and energetic way with dance-like percussion and a constant groove, as well as its contagious melody, a mysterious soprano sax solo, and a climactic ending. This was written in dedication to the Arlington High School Band Program in Arlington, Texas, and to my former band directors, Michael Hejny, Nathan Burum, and Nathan Hervey. Program notes by Kevin Day

Beside Still Waters David Gillingham (b.1947) In 1862, Newton Theological student, Joseph H. Gilmore, wrote the words to the hymn, He Leadeth Me, having been inspired by one of his own sermons on the 23rd Psalm. The words, “He leadeth me” from the Psalm took on new meaning for Gilmore and in a matter of minutes, he had penciled out the words to this new hymn. It was later set to music by William B. Bradbury. The title of this work is inspired by the third line of Psalm 23, “He leads me beside still waters”. Beside Still Waters is a “chorale fantasy” on the Bradbury tune and seeks to highlight both the peaceful and dramatic message of the words. Program notes by Dr. David R. Gillingham, Wind Symphony Conductor

DR. ALEX WIMMER is currently serving as the Assistant Director of Bands at Kan- sas State University. His duties include directing the Wind Symphony, Cat Band (basketball pep band), Volleyball Band, Pub Crawl Band, Assistant Marching Band Director for the Pride of Wildcat Land (KSUMB), arranger and drill designer for the KSUMB, and instructor of undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting, ar- ranging, and marching band techniques. Prior to his appointment at Kansas State University, Dr. Wimmer was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Kansas State University Bands. He assisted with all concert and athletic ensembles, undergrad- uate conducting courses, and Percussion Ensembles. His research interests include undergraduates conducting with expressivity and qualitative research.

Originally from Gretna, Nebraska, Dr. Wimmer received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2007, his Master of Music degree in Education with an emphasis in Wind Conducting from Kansas State University in 2014, and his Doctorate in Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction from Kansas State University in 2017. Dr. Wimmer was the Director of Bands at Gretna High School and the Assistant Director of Bands at Gretna Middle School from 2007-2012. Under his direction his concert, jazz, and marching bands received consistent superior ratings. He was a recipient of the Jack R. Snider Young Band Director Award in 2011 and served on the Nebraska Music Educators Association Leadership Academy from 2011-2012.

Dr. Wimmer is in demand as a conductor, clinician, and adjudicator as well as a percussion specialist. His professional affiliations include the Kansas Music Educators Association, the Kansas Bandmasters Association, the National Asso- ciation for Music Education, the College Band Directors National Association, the Percussive Arts Society, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Phi Kappa Lambda.

Dr. Wimmer is married to his wife Anna and has two daughters: Addison and Anora. Wind Ensemble Conductor

DR. FRANK TRACZ is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Kansas State University. He earned his B.M.E. from The Ohio State University, the M.M. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Ph. D. from The Ohio State Univer- sity. He has public school teaching experience in Wisconsin and Ohio and has also served as Assistant Director of bands at Syracuse University and Director of bands at Morehead State University. Dr. Tracz has served as an adjudicator, clinician, speaker in various schools and conferences and has conducted All-State and Honor bands across the United States as well as in Canada, Singapore, South Africa, Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand.

At Kansas State he directs the Wind Ensemble and the Marching Band, teaches graduate and undergraduate conducting, advisor to Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, and the Band Ambassadors, and administers and guides all aspects of a large BIG XII comprehensive band program. Ensembles under his direction have been invited to perform at numerous State conferences, MENC, two CBDNA regional conferences, The Larry Sutherland Wind band Festival at Fresno State, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center. The marching band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Trophy in 2015. The Wind Ensemble has been invited to per- form at the International Convention of the American Bandmasters Association in 2019 in Loveland, CO

Dr. Tracz is on the faculty of the Conn-Selmer Institute, adjunct faculty of the American Band College, past member of the Music Education Journal Editorial Board, contributor to the Teaching Music Through Performance In Band series, and was recently appointed Chair of the Sudler Trophy Project of the John Philip Sousa Foundation. His honors include the Stamey Award for outstanding teaching, Kansas Bandmasters Outstanding Director award, Wildcat Pride Alumni Association award, the Tau Beta Sigma Paula Crider Outstanding Band Director award, named a Lowell Mason fellow, and Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Fraternity. He has also received the Conn-Selmer Institute Hall of Fame award, the Kansas State Professorial Performance award, and was elected to the prestigious Ameri- can Bandmasters Association.

Dr. Tracz is married to Geralyn, and has three daughters, Jessica Tracz Kelly, Kelley Tracz, and Carly Tracz. Guest Conductors

BRETT BUTLER is originally from Lenexa, KS. He graduated from Kansas State University in 2017 with a B.M. in Music Education. During his time at Kansas State, he was involved with the Pride of Wildcat Land as an assistant and head sec- tion leader of the snare line. Also at K-State, Brett played in the Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Cat Band, Pub Crawl Band and Percussion Ensemble.

Brett is a member of the Percussive Arts Society and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. After graduating at K-State, Brett has served as an Assistant Band Director in Louisburg, KS. Brett has been teaching in Louisburg, KS for two years. He assists the Head Band Director, John Cisetti with the high school, middle school and elementary bands. Brett has had the opportunity to march in the 129th Annual Rose Parade with the Louisburg Wildcat High School Marching Band in 2018. Brett instructs the high school drumline, jazz band and substitutes in the Louisburg 416 District.

Brett has also taught at R.E.W. Music as a private percussion studio instructor since the Summer of 2018. Brett is a member of the Kansas City Wind Sympho- ny as a percussionist since the Fall of 2018. Brett has been an active percussionist in the Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park musicals and for the Leawood Stage Company. Brett also has performed with Topeka Symphony Orchestra as a per- cussionist since 2016. Brett has assisted with Leadership and Auxiliary camps for K-State in the summer of 2017 instructing drumlines with the percussion GTA.

ERIC THOMPSON received his Bachelors in Music Education from the University of Georgia. While at UGA, Eric performed as principal trumpet of the Wind Sym- phony and Symphonic Band, trumpet soloist with the Redcoat Marching Band, and as a featured trumpet soloist at Midfest. Additionally, he traveled abroad to China for a 15-day performance tour and studied under the world-renowned trumpet player, Fred Mills.

Eric has nine years of teaching experience in the Georgia Public Schools, specif- ically at Treutlen High School and, most recently, at Mary Persons High School. Bands under his direction have experienced a dramatic increase in enrollment, and have consistently received superior evaluations and best in class awards.

Eric is an active member of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), National Band Association (NBA), International Trumpet Guild, and Phi Mu Alpha, the men’s national music fraternity. Eric married his best friend Dory in June of 2018, and they are both excited about moving their new family to become a part of the Kansas State family. As the first land-grant institution established under the 1862 Morrill Act, we acknowledge that the state of Kansas is historically home to many Native nations, including the Kaw, Osage, and Pawnee, among others. Furthermore, Kansas is the current home to four federally recognized Native nations: The Prairie Band Potawatomie, the Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas, the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, and Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska. Many Native nations utilized the western plains of Kansas as their hunting grounds, and others – such as the Delaware – were moved through this region during Indian removal efforts to make way for White settlers. It’s important to acknowledge this, since the land that serves as the foundation for this institution was, and still is, stolen land. We remember these truths because K-State’s status as a land-grant institution is a story that exists within ongoing settler-colonialism, and rests on the dispossession of Indigenous peoples and nations from their lands. These truths are often invisible to many. The recognition that K-State’s history begins and continues through Indigenous contexts is essential.

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